I'm flying into Seattle in June for four days to meet a buddy and climb liberty crack. What kind of rack should we take? I assume it goes clean? We are planning to do it in a day and will free climb up to 10c or so. Are there other long routes nearby

-- bob steed (bobsteed@hotmail.com), April 23, 2001

Answers

It's a nice route! and yes, it goes clean. I remember using a #1 Chouinard Stopper at the lip of the Lithuanian Roof and HB offsets just past the roof. Otherwise just bring a bunch of cams and an assortment of stoppers. Look in Beckey's updated "Rainy Pass to Fraser River" Cascade Alpine Guide or either of the Nelson/Pottersfield Selected Climbs in the Cascades books for more routes.

-- Eric James (eajames@u.washington.edu), April 23, 2001.

Depending on how comfortable you are free climbing with dicey gear, you might find one bd grappling hook useful on the third pitch. I think that part goes free at around 10+ or 11- but the (usually fixed) gear isn't too inspiring. Aiding through it, however, is easy. Don't bother bringing pitons.

-- Mark Westman (denalimark@hotmail.com), May 04, 2001.